Pats reportedly show interest in Brandon Lloyd: Here's what to make of it

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 -- Jeff Howe

Since the Patriots released Brandon Lloyd on March 16, one of the most popular questions surrounding the team has been whether or not they'd bring him back.

Pro Football Talk reported today the Pats have been one of six teams to offer Lloyd a chance to play in 2013, and the wide receiver has turned them all down.

The first reaction is the Pats have recognized a weakness among a group of young receivers that includes three rookies. But keep in mind one extremely important detail: The report doesn't say when the Patriots reached out to Lloyd.

We know this: The Patriots wanted to keep Lloyd at a discounted rate, and they asked him to take a pay cut before they owed him a $3 million roster bonus on the day they released him. They even asked him one last time an hour before he was let go. Lloyd flat-out declined and wasn't willing to work with that offer. The Patriots also showed some immediate interest in retaining him if Lloyd had a change of heart, but they couldn't wait around to renegotiate because of the hefty roster bonus. Again, Lloyd was ticked off that they took $3 million out of his pocket and wasn't willing to play at a discounted rate.

It's possible this was the only time the Pats reached out. Or, maybe it happened around training camp. Or whenever.

But don't be tricked by the timing. Obviously, Tom Brady and the rookie receivers struggled Sunday against the Bills, but that doesn't mean the Patriots immediately picked up the phone to change Lloyd's mind. Hey, maybe they did, but that's not clear as of now.

There's plenty out there about Lloyd's personality behind closed doors, but the reason the Pats cut him was primarily based on money. And the reason Lloyd doesn't want to return is based on money.

This is a guy who worked in a factory during the 2011 lockout to keep busy. He doesn't need football, and he has never been thrilled over the loss of the bonus in March. It takes two sides to make a deal work, and Lloyd hasn't been interested.